(unfounded) predictions - AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR

In one week, the Marvel Cinematic Universe hits their third major milestone ten years after its inception with the release of AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, the event that all of the 18 movies that preceded have led up to.

Let me just say this, to start off: I think AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR is going to be a mess. There are so many people and storylines juggled, but I know for damn sure there will be an exorbitant amount of jaw-dropping, piss your pants and kick a table moments.

So here, I will try to explain and break down in some detail some background facts, but there are NO SPOILERS here. Promise. I have no idea what the hell is going to happen until I see it. Without further ado, here’s my completely unsubstantiated conjectures and hopes for what will happen next week in AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR.

PEOPLE GON DIE.

INFINITY WAR was supposed to be a two-parter, with Part 1 coming out this year, and Part 2 next May. But the directors, the Russo brothers, decided the story could be told in one movie. On top of that, most of the principal MCU actors’ (aka the ones headlining the movies) contracts are expiring. This leads me to believe many actors are not going to re-negotiate, which will lead to their characters dying.

Here are the characters/actors I think will definitely not make it to AVENGERS 4 next year:

Captain America (Chris Evans)

All signs lead to this, sadly. His character arc of the films he’s appeared in is pretty damn great and it’d come to a fitting close here.

Loki (Tom Hiddleston)

Another actor that looks ready to move on. His arc is finished and it seemed like THOR: RAGNAROK couldn’t figure out what to do with him at times.

Vision (Paul Bettany)

I mean, he’s got one of the Infinity Stones in him…

PEOPLE GON RETIRE.

Here’s everyone who I think will still be present within the MCU

Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.)

He will die, but he’ll be back to voice whatever AI will be in the next Iron Man suit.

Thor (Chris Hemsworth)

He will become the Unworthy Thor, as he doesn’t have a hammer, and will rename himself Odinson, or something.

PEOPLE GON GET REPLACED.

Here’s who I think will be in the AVENGERS 4 main roster:

Captain America - Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie)

The Mighty Thor - Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson)

Hulk - Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo)

Black Panther - T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman)

Black Widow - Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson)

Ronin - Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner)

Wasp - Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly)

Spider-Man - Peter Parker (Tom Holland)

Scarlet Witch - Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen)

I’m not counting Captain Marvel, since she probably won’t be meeting the team until after her solo movie next year.

Everyone else not listed (i.e. Doctor Strange, Guardians, etc.) I think won’t be part of the actual team.

THINGS GON HAPPEN.

Thanos (Josh Brolin) will die by the end of the movie.

Nebula (Karen Gillan) will have control of the Infinity Gauntlet at some point in the movie. (See: the comic “Infinity Gauntlet”.)

A Fox Marvel character will show up. I doubt it will be one of the X-Men, but there have been rumors of Silver Surfer appearing? The Disney/Fox buyout might be further along than we think…

Adam Warlock will be borne from his cocoon, seen at the end of GUARDIANS VOL. 2.

Old villains will be resurrected, then band together to be the big bad guy group in AVENGERS 4.

AVENGERS 4 will be titled at the very very end - i.e. “The Avengers will return in ‘AVENGERS: (whatever)’”

Just one more week until we get to see which of these are correct. (But not for me! I get to see it on Tuesday!)